Voltage regulating apparatus



Aug. 29, 1950 w. NIEMI 2,520,589

VOLTAGE REGULATING APPARATUS Filed July 25, 1948 IN VEN TOR. W/LL MM lY/EM/ WZW, W, 5

Patented Aug. 29, 1950 VOLTAGE REGULATING APPARATUS William Niemi, Cleveland, Ohio, assignor to The Leece-Neville Company, Cleveland, Ohio, a corporation of Ohio Application July 23, 1948,. Serial No. 40,340

9 Claims.

This invention relates to voltage regulating apparatus for controlling the terminal voltage of electric generators and, as one of its objects, aims to provide an improved and simplified apparatus of this kind which can be very economically manufactured and installed. Although the improved apparatus can be applied to electric generators designed for difierent types of service and current characteristics it is especially applicable to low voltage generators such as are used in the electrical systems of automotive vehicles and for that reason is hereinafter described in connection with a generating system of that kind but without any intention to limit the invention in this respect.

Another object of the present invention is to provide an improved voltage regulator of the vibratory-armature electromagnetic type having control contacts which are opened and closed by the armature and in which the rate of vibration of the armature is considerably higher than in prior devices of this character and produces a smoother regulating action by which the terminal voltage of the generator is more constantly maintained at the desired value.

A further object is to provide an improved voltage regulator of the character mentioned in which the armature will vibrate in a steadier and more reliable manner at a predetermined frequency for a given load value, such as will contribute to a long contact life and will permit a selection to be made for the contacts from various desirable contact materials, and in many cases will permit the use of a less expensive contact material with a regulating action equally efficient and comparable to the regulating action obtained when a more expensive contact material is used.

Still another object is to provide an improved voltage regulator of the electromagnetic vibratory type which employs a regulating resistance in such relation to the energizing circuit of the magnet as to produce a higher frequency rate and a steadier action for th vibratory opening and closing of the contacts by which a longer contact life and a more constant and satisfactory voltage regulating function are obtained.

Yet another object is to provide an improved voltage regulator of the character mentioned in which the magnet has only a single energizing coil thereon and the energizing circuit for the magnet includes a regulating resistance which eifectively varies the ampere-turns of the coil in response to the vibratory opening and, closing of the control contacts.

Yes

ion opposite sides of the core.

The invention can be further briefly summarized as consisting in certain novel combinations and arrangements of parts hereinafter described and particularly set out in the claims hereof. v

In the accompanying sheet of drawings:

Fig. l is an electric circuit diagram showing a generating system embodying the improved voltage regulating apparatus, and

Fig. 2 is another electric circuit diagram showing a generating system embodying a modified form of the voltage regulating apparatus.

As illustrating one practical application of this invention Fig. l of the drawing shows the improved voltage regulator Ill embodied in an electric generating system of the type used on automotive vehicles. The system here shown includes a low voltage direct current generator ll, for example a six volt generator, having terminals l2 and i3 and a shunt field winding M. The system also includes an external load circuit represented by the load conductors 511 and iEb which are connected with the terminals l2 and I3. The load circuit may include various electrical devices carried by the vehicle such as the storage battery I6 and the electric lamps El and iii. The load circuit may also include a control switch is which can be a manually 0perated switch or, if desired, can be a conventional reverse current relay or so-called reverse current cut-out.

The improved voltage regulator iii is of the vibratory electromagnetic type comprising a magnet 25! having a suitable fram 2! and an energizing coil 22. The voltage regulator also includes a vibratory armature 23 and two pairs of cooperating control contacts consisting of two spaced stationary contacts 24 and 25 and two movable contacts 26 and 21 carried by the armature and adapted to cooperate respectively with the stationary contacts 24 and 25.

The frame 2! 0f the magnet 26 includes a core 28 on which the energizing coil 22 is located and laterally spaced arm portions 2 la and 2 lb located The armature 23 extends across thearm portions Zia and 25b and across one end of the core as so as to form a magnetic circuit and be responsive to en?- crgization of the frame by the coil 22. The armature Eiiis adapted to cause a rapid opening and closing of the pairs of cooperating contacts inresponse to changes in the energization produced by the coil 22, as further explained hereinafter, and for this purpose the armature is pivoted or.fulcrumed on the frame portion Alb as by means of the flexible mounting member 29. A tension spring 30 connected with the armature 23 acts thereon to normally urge the armature in a direction to cause closing of the contacts 24 and 2B. The energizing coil 22 of the magnet is a voltage coil which is energized from the generator II by being connected across the terminals [-2 and I23 thereof. The extent of energization of the coil 22 is variable for producing the voltage regulating function h and is controlled by the action of the cooperating contacts 2 l26, 252'I, as will be further explained hereinafter.

The field winding I 4 of thegenerator'fll is'contained in a field energizing circuit which connected across the terminals l2 and I3 of the generator I I. As shown in the-drawing, of the field winding 14 is connected with thelterminal 12 by the conductor 3| and its other end'is connected with the movable contact 26 through a portionofa vibratory armature 2'3 The'field -circult is also formed in part by the conductor '32 which connects the stationary contact 24 with the generator terminal 13. A'field resistance 'or so-called point resistance 33 is located in thefield circuit and is connected--across'- the cooperating contacts 24 and- 26' so as tobe incl'uded in the field circuit in series relation when these contacts are opened and shcrtcircuited out of the field energizing circuit when these contacts are closed.

As shown in Fig. l, 'thes-tationary contact-25 of the regulator i-il is connected with'thegenerator terminal 12 through the conductor portions 34:: and 34bof the conductor 34. One end of the magnet coill'22i's also connected directly with the-generator terminal -l'2- by the conductor 35 and; the conductor portion 346.- The other end of the coil 22 is connected with the stationary contact2 lthrough the conductors 36 and 31 'and' the series resistance 38 which may at times be referred to asa second resistance or' a. ballast resistance.- Since the last-mentioned end of the coil 22 is connectedwiththestationary contact 24 andthiscontact is I in turn connected with the generator terminal i3; it will be' seen'that the coil is alwayscontained in an energizing: circuit extending across theterminals' of the generator for energization of this coil as a voltage coil,- as mentionedabove, and which'will be responsive to changes in the operating condition of the-genorator.

An important: feature I of the improved voltage regulator lilris' the provision of. aregulatingresistance' 4D in: the "energizing circuit. for the'magnet' coil 22 and which resistance: produces dis-:- tinctly new and; advantageous results: in: the voltage control function. ofthe regulator; The regulating resistance Mlhas one end thereofconnected to the-movable contactsz26zandz2'l through the magnet frame 2|. and: the armature 23 and has itsother end connected to the conductor 3'! at a point between the coil 22 an'dthe ballast resistance 38. When the regulating resistance 40 is-embodied in the energizing circuit for th'e coil 22' in the relation just'mentioned this resistance effectively varies the ampere-turns of the coil through'circuit changes produced by'the opening and closing of the controlcontacts'in response to variationsin the operating'condition of the generator II.

To further'explain the function oftheregulating resistance 40 it ispointed out that when the generator H is being operated under a condiopened and closed by the vibratory movement of the armature 23, this resistance will be intermittently connected into and disconnected from a circuit arrangement in which the resistance is in shunt relation to the ballast resistance 38 and thus intermittenty increases the supply of current to the energizing coil 22 and hence the amipere-turnso'f thelatter On the dthe'r hand when the generator ll is operating under a "condition in which the contacts 25 and 21 are being opened and closed by the vibratory movement of the armature 23, the regulating resistance 40 will be intermittently connected in a circuit in which thisre'sistance "is inshunt relation to the coil 22 and "hence decreases the ampere-turns of this coil".

To trace these energizing circuits for the coil 22 of the magnet 26 it is pointed out that when the contacts 24 and 25 are closed the energizing circuit for the coil 22 extends from the generator terminal [3 through the-conductor 32 to the contact 21 and then through the conductor 35", the ballast resistance 38, the conductor -31 to the coi l 2 2 anc l then 'back to the generator terminal 2 through the-conductor 3-5 and the condoctor portion t' l-b: A portion of this-energizing circuit also extends at-the sa'm'e' time from the contact -24--'to"th'e contact- 26" and then through arina-ture z frame 21', andregu-latiiig resistance tothe conductor' fl. It will thus be seen that when the contacts 25 and 2 6 are closed the regulating-resistance 40 is connected in shunt relation to the ballast resistance ass-nu constitutes 'asecond path through which additional energizing current can be supplied to thecoil '22 The increased supply of current to the-magnet coil 22' increasesits amperetores thereby producing -astron'ger pull on the armature 23 and causing opening of' 'the' contacts 23' and 26 to insertthe point resistance 33 into the field circuit of the generator.

When the contacts-2e and :27 are closed the energ'i'zing" circuitfor the magnet coil 22- extends from the generator terminal I3 through the conductors 32 and 3B, theballast' resistance 38 the conductor iil to'th'e'coil 22 and then back to the generator: terminal I2 through the cbn'cluctor 35 andthe conductoriporticn 341); At this same time the" closed condition of the contacts 25' and 21 causes one end of the regulating resistance" 40 to be connected with the generator terminal I2 through the frame 21, armature 23, contacts 21 and. 25." and conductor portions 34a and 36b. Since'the otherend of theregulating resistance 40: remains" connected with the stationary contact and the generator terminal l3 through the. ballast resistance 38, itwill be seen that the regulatin resistance is now connected in-shunt relation to'the coil 2'2 an'd will therefore decrease theiampere-turns of this coil and the'resulting de'crease'in the' energizatlon of the magnet 20 will permit openingof the'contacts 25 and 21.

During the operation ofthe improved regulater In the-contacts -2 land 2a are initially held closed by the-spring sewhile the generator II is being-started upl For certain operatingcondi tio'ns-of 'the-systenithe regulator Hl' will tune tion with ai -vibratory opening and cl'o'sihg of-the contacts-Hand '25 While: the contacts Z-Ea'nd 21 remain open. Under otheroperating conditions. both'pairs of control contacts 24; 2S "and- 25; 21 will-remainopen. For still otherconditions of operation the regulator will function with a vibratory opening and closing of the contacts 25 and 21 while the contacts 'ld and fl remain" open.

It has been found that theuse of the regulating resistance 40 greatly simplifies the construction of the regulator l0 because only a single energizing coil is required for the magnet 20. The use of the regulating resistance 40 has also been found to produce a very effective and reliable voltage regulating action'through its effect in varying the ampere-turns of the energizing coil 22'of the magnet. By reason of the use of the regulating resistance 40 it has also been found that the improved regulator l9 gives a very smooth regulating function in which the armature vibrates at a higher rate than has heretofore occurred in voltage regulating devices of this kind and that for a given load value on the generator the armature vibrates steadily at a predetermined frequency. Moreover,.it has been found that by the use of the regulating resistance 40 the rate of vibration of the armature can be predetermined for giving load values such that the frequency rate can be so adapted as to permit the use in the control contacts of various selected contact materials. This feature is very important because it enables the manufacturer to select lower priced contact materials from various available materials and to obtain a voltage regulating action equally efficient and reliable toa voltage regulating action obtainable through the use of higher priced contact materials. By thus being able to establish a predetermined frequency of vibration for the armature 23, a frequency can be selected which will contribute to a long life for the control contacts thus rendering the voltage regulator capable of performing satisfactorily for a longer period of time with a minimum amount of attention and servicing.

Fig. 2 of the drawing shows another practical application of the present invention in which a modified form of the improved voltage regu ator is used. In the electrical system shown in Fig. 2 the modified voltage regulator M has only one pair of control contacts 24 and 26 but in other respects is similar to the voltage regulator iii described above, and the same reference characters have accordingly been used to designate corresponding parts. .In the operation of the modified regulator if the opening and closing of the contacts 24 and 26 intermittently connects the point resistance 33 into and short circuits the same out of-the field circuit of the generator II. The closing and opening of these contacts; also intermittently connects the regulating resistance 49 into the energizing circuit for the coil 22 so that when the contacts are closed this re sistance will be connected in shunt relation to the ballast resistance 38 and thus increase the ampere-turns of this coil and produce an increased energization of themagnet 20 which will result in opening of the contacts 2 1 and 26.

To enable those skilled in this art to further evaluate the practical importance of the improved voltage regulator, a, set of specific values can be given for the apparatus illustrated in Fig.

1. For example when the generator fl is a sin volt generator having a shunt field whose resistance is approximately two and one-half ohms, the voltage regulator l0 may embody a point resistance 33 whose resistance value is approximately six and one-half ohms and a ballast resistance-38 whose resistance value is approxiinately thirteen ohms. The magnet coil 22 would have approximately one thousand turns of mag net wire and a resistance value of approximately ten ohms. For the circuit values just given above the regulating resistance 40 would have a resist ance value of approximately one hundred and seventy ohms.

Although the improved voltage regulator has been-referred to herein as being well suited for use with low voltage generators and a six volt generator has been mentioned specifically. it should be understood that the invention is not limited in this respect and that it is also applicable to generators of twelve volt, twenty-four volt, thirty-two volt and higher voltage ratings.

From the foregoing description and accompanying drawings it should now be readily under stood that this invention provides an improved voltage regulator which is applicable to electric generators of various specific ratings and designs but is especially useful for controlling the terminal voltage of low voltage generators when embodied in electrical systems of the type used on automotive vehicles. It will now also be understood that the improved voltage regulator produces a highly efficient and more satisfactory regulating action and can be manufactured at lower cost than similar devices heretofore proposed.

nlthough the improved voltage regulator provided by this invention has been illustrated and described herein .to a somewhat detailed extent, it will be understood of course that the invention should not be regarded as being correspondingly limited in scope but includes all changes and modifications coming within the terms of the claims hereof.

Having thus described my invention, I claim:

1. In combination with a generator having terminals and a field circuit including a field winding and a field resistance, a voltage regulator comprising a magnet having a vibratory armature responsive to energization of said ma net and cooperating contacts adapted to be opened and closed by vibration of said armature for intermittently removing said field resistance from said field circuit, said magnet having an energizing coil, circuit connections connecting said coil across said terminals to establish a regulator circuit for energizing said coil from said generator, a second resistance in said regulator circuit, a regulating resistance, and circuit connections controlled by said contacts and adapted to intermittently connect said regulating resistance in shunt relation to said second resistance for increasing the energization of said coil, said field resistance and said regulating resistance having respectively a relatively low and a relatively highresistance value and said second resistance having a resistance value intermediate said low and high resistance values.

I 2. In combination with a generator having terminals and a field circuit including a field wind ing and a field resistance, a voltage regulator comprising a magnet having a vibratory armature responsive to energization of said magnet and a pair of cooperating contacts adapted to be opened and closed by vibration of said armature and to short-circuit said field resistance out of said field circuit when the contacts are closed,

said magnet having only a single energizing coil, circuit connections connecting said coil across said terminals to establish a regulator circuit for energizing said magnet from said generator, a second resistance in said regulator circuit in series with said coil, a regulating resistance, and circuit connections controlled by said contacts and. adapted to connect said regulating resistance in shunt relation to said second resistance when said contacts' are closed, said field resistance and a sence said re ulatin esi tance; hav n re necti eln a relatively low and a relatively high resistance value .and. said second resistance haying a, resistance value intermediate, said lowpanjdrhi h'lesl k ance values.

3, In. combination. with a. generator: haying terminals. and a field. circuit. including a. fiel winding and a. field resistance, a. vol agei c u: lator comprising a magnet. havin sav frame. and a vibratory armature. responsive to. ener ization ofsaid magnet and .also. havineecooperating contacts adapted, to. be.v opened and closed; bxlibtation. of said. armature for; intermittentlyishortr cuiting said. field resistance. out. Of. aid, field circuit, said magnethaving. an. ener izin coil. circuit connections. connecting said coil J 1055 said terminals to establisha regulatorcircuitfor energizing aid .coilfrom. said generation a ballast resistance in said, regulator circuit, airegulatln resistance, and circuit connectionscontrolled by said contacts and including a .citcuitportion x: tending through said frame; for intermittently connecting said regulating.resistancev in shunt relation to said ballast resistance for increasing the energization of saidcoil, saidfieldresistance and said regulating resistance having IESDBIJ-r tively a relatively low anda, relatively highsree sistance value and saidballast resistancehayi a resistance value intermediatesaidlow andzhigh resistance values.

4. The combination with a generator hayin terminals and a field circuit including, a. field winding and a field resistance, .a voltagemegulator comprising a .magnet having-a vibratory armature responsive to energizatiorrof; saidmas: net and. pairs oil cooperating contacts adapted to be opened. and. closed, by. vibrationof said armature, one pair of. said contacts; being in said.

fieldcircuit; and being effective for. intermitt n ly removing said field resistancegfromsaid fieldcir: cuit, said magnet havingzan energizing.-co.il.gcirr cuitgconnections connecting said coil. acrosssaid. terminals to. establish a regulatoncircuit. forienz ergizing' said. coil. from. said generaton a. second resistance in saidregulator circuit. ai regulating resistance, and. circuit; connections. controlled by said.pairsoicontactsand; bywhich said reg; ulatingresistance isadapted. to. be connecmd. n shunt: relation. tov said. second resistance WhQll saidone pair of-contacts; is. closed and to. be con: nectedinishllht relation to, said. coilvvhen an; other pair or" 'saidcontacts is. closed,

5. In combination. with agenerator, having terminals and. a. field. circuit. containing a field winding, a voltage regulator comprisinea naenet having a vibratory armaturaresppnsive to ener.- gization or" said. magnet. and a. voltage;cil.for energizing said. magnet, cooperating. contact means. adapted to be opened. and closediby. said armature and comprising tworpairs of ..co.op erat= ing contacts, a fieldresistance. controlledbyone pair of said-contacts fonvarying. thelenergization of said. field. winding, circuit connections. con: nectlng saidicoiLacross. said terminalsior, enter..- gization by said generator, a series. resistance-in the energizing circuit. for said.coil,. anda regulate ing resistance in the energizing circuit fonsaid coil andcontrolledby said. contactlmeans, said energizing circuit including circum connections for connecting saidregula'ting. resistance-in shunt relation to said series resistance ior'increasing the, ampere. turns of; said. coil when; one .QI said. contacts is closed; andin, shunt; relatioirto said coilfor decreasingtlie, ampereiturnscthereof when the'otherjp'air on said contacts isolated;

n ppara uso the har c er des rib d eenerat rhav ne rmi l nds-fi ld indin s volta e r ula r o iiris nsi a neta n an armature adapted to vibrated and twopairs of. contacts adapted to be opened and closed by vibrationjof saidarmature, afield circuit. having said field winding andone pair' of; said oontacts therein, a field resistance connected. acrossand controlled by said one pair of contacts, said mag; net. having: only a single energizing, coiLcircuit connections.connectingsaid coil across saidte minals for energizationofthe coil from saidgem erator, a second resistance in; the. coilenergizing circuit, a regulating resistance, and circuit, con; nectionsfor connecting said regulatingresistance in shunt. relation. to said. second resistance when saidfone. pair of contacts is closedand-imshunt relation to said coil when the second p air ,,o con: tactsis closed.

7. In apparatus of, the character. described, agenerator having terminals anda fieldwinde ing, a voltage-regulator comprising a magnethav: ing'an armature adapted to bevibrated andtwo pairs ofcontactsadapted to be opened andclosed by vibration ofsaid. armature, said contacts com.- prising fixed contacts in spaced apart relation and a movable contact carried .by .said armature and adapted to cooperate with the fixedgcontacts in response tovibrationof the armature, a field circuithaving therein said field Winding and. one pair of said contacts consisting of saidrmovable contact. and one of said fixed contacts, a. field resistance connected across and controlledby said one pair of contacts, an energizing coil for said magnet, circuit connections connectingsaid coil across said terminals for energization of said coil from saidgenerator, a ballast, resistance .in theicoil energizing circuit, a regulatingresistance, and circuit connections connecting said reg ulat-. ing resistance with said movable contact and said coil energizing circuit such that said regulating resistance is in shunt relation to said ballast resistance when said one pair or" contacts is closed and in shunt relation to said coil when the second pair. of contacts is closed.

8. In combination witha generator having terminals and a fieldwinding, a regulator comprise ing a magnet having a frame including a vibra tory armature and acoil for energizing said frame to produce the vibratory movement of said armature, said regulator also having a pair of coopcrating contacts one of which is. a stationary contact electrically connected with one of the terminals of said generator and the other contact being movable and carried by said armature, circuit connections connecting said coil across said terminals to establish a regulator. circuit for energizing said coil from saidgenerator, a ballast resistance in said regulator circui t'inseris with said coil, said field winding havingone end connected with the other of said-terminalsand its other end electrically connected with said movable contact to provide afield circuit, a-field resistance connected across said contactsto be intermittently connected into and short-circuited out of said field circuit by the opening and-closing of said contacts, and a regulating resistance having one end thereof electrically connected I with said movable contact and its other end connected with said regulator circuit ata point between said coiLand said ballast resistance, said regulating resistance being connected in said. regulatorcire quit in shunt relation, to said ballast resistance for. increasing the energization of said coil. wlfien said.ccntacts are..c1osed..

9. In combination with a generator having terminals and a field winding, a regulator comprising a magnet having a frame including a vibratory armature and a coil for energizing said frame to produce the vibratory movement of said armature, said regulator also having cooperating contacts including a first stationary contact electrically connected with one of the terminals of said generator and a movable contact means carried by said armature, circuit connections con necting said coil across said terminals to establish a regulator circuit for energizing said coil from said generator, a ballast resistance in said regulator circuit in series with said coil, said field winding having one end connected with the other of said terminals and its other end electrically connected with said movable contact means to provide a field circuit, a field resistance connected across said first stationary contact and said movable contact means to be intermittently connected into and shirt-circuited out of said field circuit by the opening and closing of said first stationary contact and said movable contact means, and a regulating resistance having one end thereof electrically connected with said movable contact means and its other end connected "with said regulator circuit at a point between said coil and said ballast resistance, the contacts of said regulator also including a. second stationary contact electrically connected with said other terminal, said regulating resistance being connected in said regulator circuit in shunt relation to said ballast resistance for increasing the ener- REFERENCES CITED The following references are of record in the file of this patent:

UNITED STATES PATENTS Number Name Date 1,611,086 Sullivan Dec. 14, 1926 2,052,049 Leece Aug. 25, 1936 

